Epic and GameSpy join forces for cross platform fragging

[GunnyMo]

Got a PC? Got a PS3? Got a PS3 Unreal Engine 3 game? You can play together! Epic announced today their partnership with GameSpy and the immediate option to integrate GameSpy's multiplayer technology into any game licensing the UE3.

BRISBANE, Calif. - August 15, 2007 - IGN Entertainment's GameSpy, a leader in multiplayer and online gaming technology, and Epic Games today announced a licensing deal to incorporate GameSpy's suite of online technology into Epic's Unreal® Engine 3, one of the industry's most popular game engines. Under the terms of the agreement, GameSpy will join Epic's prestigious Integrated Partners Program, and its technology will be immediately available to any publishers or developers that license Unreal® Engine 3.

By incorporating GameSpy's online technology into Unreal Engine 3, the two companies have created an integrated one-stop solution for game developers looking to leverage the world's most advanced multi-player technology and game engine in one package. The partnership will span both the PC and PLAYSTATION®3 platforms within Unreal Engine 3, enabling seamless PLAYSTATION®3 and PC online functionality. Functionality available to Unreal Engine 3 licensees via Gamespy will include cross-platform gameplay, communication tools and competition applications.

Click the Headline for the full press release.

I'm curious as to why Epic is snubbing Microsoft in this. There are a number of PS3 & 360 games coming that use UE3. After the monumental success of Gears of War, one would think 360 would be included in these cross platform plans.

Thanks to Guy Mariano for a similar submission.

Edit: Mark Rein stopped by the discussion inside to answer the debate my italics above set off:

During E3 this year we announced Games for Windows Live support (which we using in Gears of War for Windows) and now Gamespy is also going to be available. This means that Unreal Engine 3 licensees will have access to both Games for Windows Live (which supports PC and Xbox 360) and GameSpy (which supports PC and PS3). This provides more choices and more flexibility for cross-platform online play which is a huge benefit to our licensees.
Much obliged, good sir!

[GunnyMo]

GAMESPY AND EPIC GAMES ANNOUNCE AGREEMENT TO INTEGRATE GAMESPY MULTIPLAYER AND COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY INTO EPIC'S UNREAL® ENGINE 3

GameSpy to Join Epic's Integrated Partners Program

BRISBANE, Calif. - August 15, 2007 - IGN Entertainment's GameSpy, a leader in multiplayer and online gaming technology, and Epic Games today announced a licensing deal to incorporate GameSpy's suite of online technology into Epic's Unreal® Engine 3, one of the industry's most popular game engines. Under the terms of the agreement, GameSpy will join Epic's prestigious Integrated Partners Program, and its technology will be immediately available to any publishers or developers that license Unreal® Engine 3.

By incorporating GameSpy's online technology into Unreal Engine 3, the two companies have created an integrated one-stop solution for game developers looking to leverage the world's most advanced multi-player technology and game engine in one package. The partnership will span both the PC and PLAYSTATION®3 platforms within Unreal Engine 3, enabling seamless PLAYSTATION®3 and PC online functionality. Functionality available to Unreal Engine 3 licensees via Gamespy will include cross-platform gameplay, communication tools and competition applications.

"Epic and the Unreal Engine 3 are on the leading edge of next-generation and multi-platform gaming, and we are very pleased to join the Integrated Partners Program. GameSpy is committed to working together with Epic to address a broad range of needs for the connected gamer, including multiplayer matchmaking, in-game and out-of-game messaging, persistent player communities, and competition systems," said Jamie Berger, senior vice president of consumer products and technology for IGN Entertainment. "Over the past months we have fully integrated a broad suite of GameSpy online technology in Unreal Engine 3 and have built a fantastic working relationship with Epic. We look forward to extending that relationship with a number of new technologies customized for Unreal Engine 3 to be introduced over the next 12 months."

By making available many leading community tools and technologies, GameSpy will provide game developers with the opportunity to have PLAYSTATION®3 and PC users play, communicate and compete together as a single community. GameSpy technologies available to license immediately include:

* GameSpy "Matchmaking" is a robust and flexible matchmaking system that makes it easy for gamers to find suitable opponents effortlessly
* GameSpy's "Comrade" in-game middleware and desktop technology that enables seamless in-game to out-of-game community features, such as instant messaging, in-game voice communication, and friend rosters
* GameSpy's "Sake" will allow developers to store data securely online, enabling gamers to build extensive player profiles and maintain game statistics
* GameSpy's "ATLAS" advanced statistical system for dynamic leaderboards and tournaments within the game and on the web
* Future feature sets developed by GameSpy will all be incorporated into the Epic Partnership.

"We're very excited to welcome GameSpy into the Integrated Partners Program," said Mark Rein, Vice President of Epic Games, Inc. "GameSpy is the leader in multiplayer gaming technology and has a vast amount of experience in developing rich and sophisticated multiplayer systems with community and commerce features that Epic and its Unreal Engine 3 licensees can directly benefit from. Having GameSpy integrate their technology into our engine and provide direct support for our licensees is a huge value-add for Unreal Engine 3."

In additional to providing multiplayer online features, GameSpy will also join Epic Games' Integrated Partners Program (IPP). The IPP program establishes a formal business relationship with selected companies making cross-platform technologies which integrate with, and are complementary to, Unreal Engine 3. Under the IPP program Epic provides continuous Unreal Engine 3 source code access and full technical support to IPP members. Companies who join the IPP agree to provide a high level of technical support for UE3 licensees through Epic's established support channels, keep their implementations up-to-date with the latest UE3 versions, and work with Epic on potential promotional and co-marketing efforts.

GameSpy technology integration is immediately available and several developers have already licensed the integrated GameSpy technology, including Codemasters' Turning Point: Fall of Liberty and Ubisoft's Brothers in Arms: Hells Highway.

About GameSpy

GameSpy, a division of IGN Entertainment, is the leader in multiplayer gaming technology. Utilized by each of world's top ten publishers, GameSpy's technology is accessible on eight different platforms and featured in more than 500 current titles. With more than 19 million registered users, GameSpy has the tools, expertise and ingenuity to help connect gamers, induce competition, foster community and create new commerce opportunities. IGN Entertainment is a unit of Fox Interactive Media.

About IGN Entertainment

IGN Entertainment, a unit of Fox Interactive Media, Inc., is a leading Internet media and services provider focused on the videogame and entertainment enthusiast markets. Collectively, IGN's properties reached more than 30 million unique users worldwide in the month of May 2007, according to Internet audience measurement firm comScore Media Metrix. IGN's network of videogame-related properties (IGN.com, GameSpy, FilePlanet, TeamXbox, Direct2Drive and others), is the Web's number one videogame information destination and attracts one of the largest concentrated audiences of young males on the Internet. IGN also owns and operates the popular movie-related website, Rotten Tomatoes and one of the leading male lifestyle Websites, AskMen.com. In addition, IGN provides technology for online game play in videogames. IGN is headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, with offices throughout the U.S. and in Montreal.

About Unreal Engine 3

The award-winning Unreal Engine is known for cutting-edge graphics and a best-of-breed toolset. Unreal Engine 3 is expected to maintain those features while adding massive world support, multi-processor support, next-generation console optimizations, and one of the most mature tool pipelines in the industry. Unreal Engine 3's new toolset is designed specifically to accelerate developers' productivity for ultra-complex, next-generation content. Additional information on Unreal Engine can be obtained at www.unrealtechnology.com.

About Epic Games

Epic Games, Inc., based in Cary, NC and established in 1991, develops cutting-edge games and game engine technology for PC and console. The company has created multiple million-selling, award-winning titles in their Unreal® series and their latest game, Gears of War®, broke sales records on Xbox 360 selling more than 3 million copies worldwide in the first ten weeks and awarded overall Game of the Year for 2006 by multiple media outlets including Gamespot and Gamepro. Epic is also responsible for the Unreal Engine, which is the underlying technology for a wide range of games including, Console Game of the Year winner, "Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell TM" by Ubi Soft; PC Gamer's Game of the Year, "Deus Ex" from Ion Storm/Eidos; "America's Army: Special Forces," by the United States Army, and "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" (PC) by Electronic Arts. Epic's Unreal Engine 3 is the current holder, and three-time consecutive winner, of Game Developer magazine's Front Line award for Best Game Engine. Epic Games was also awarded Studio of the Year at the 2006 Spike TV Video Game Awards and Developer of the Year by Official Xbox Magazine. Additional information about Epic can be obtained through Epic's Web site at http://www.epicgames.com.

Unreal and Gears of War are registered trademarks of Epic Games, Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners

"PLAYSTATION" is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

[KingGorilla]

Ugh, Gamespy.

[GrinR]

So now two failed gaming platforms can play together? How nice for them!

[Citizen Philip]

The answer is exclusivity. Microsoft doesn't want to share unless it's on their terms: Live! And we know how well thats been received so far.

[PrivateJohn]

Gamespy? Seriously???
Xfire would be ideal..but gamespy? What is Mark Rein smokin'?

[GunnyMo]

The answer is exclusivity. Microsoft doesn't want to share unless it's on their terms: Live! And we know how well thats been received so far.

I guess that makes sense. It just seems weird to me how much Epic seems to be giving MS the finger lately after such great success with GoW.

[Gorvi]

I guess that makes sense. It just seems weird to me how much Epic seems to be giving MS the finger lately after such great success with GoW.
I'm guessing it's because they're used to dealing with PC games, where everything is open and they can do things on their terms. MS wants everything on their terms, and that just doesn't seem to be going over well with them.

[Citizen Philip]

I guess that makes sense. It just seems weird to me how much Epic seems to be giving MS the finger lately after such great success with GoW.

Does success = popularity, dollars or control of the IP? I for one do not know how much of that, Epic gets to share in. From what I've seen in the past MS doesn't share, it monopolizes things. ;)

On the other hand, I don't really play much Unreal.

[GunnyMo]

Now that y'all mention that control issue, things make a whole lot more sense. It puts into perspective the tiff that was out there over charging for the GoW maps Epic wanted to put out for free.

[Chaos Machine]

this is bad news for microsoft, especially if epic says that the reason is that microsoft wont sanction interoperability with the ps3.

[NeoSuplex]

Gamespy? Seriously???
Xfire would be ideal..but gamespy? What is Mark Rein smokin'?

Dolla-dolla-dolla Billz, y'all.

[violentp]

Grains of salt are in high abundance these days.

[Heretic Machine]

I still don't understand why people complain about Gamespy. It's always worked fine for me, it's just a matchmaking service. It's function is pretty simple, and it does it well.

[violentp]

I still don't understand why people complain about Gamespy. It's always worked fine for me, it's just a matchmaking service. It's function is pretty simple, and it does it well.

In this particular case it would be because it's somewhat complimentary to the PS3. Welcome to the schoolyard.

[KingGorilla]

I still don't understand why people complain about Gamespy. It's always worked fine for me, it's just a matchmaking service. It's function is pretty simple, and it does it well.
1. Inattentive people will install a bunch of bullshit like the Gamespy arcade, subscribe to newsletters.
2. Most people I know, myself included, have experienced humungous lag with Gamespy games, FEAR would lag for me with as few as 4 people in a single room, Company of Heroes can barely run in 3X3, 4X4 really pushes it.

[Shadowstorm]

I guess that makes sense. It just seems weird to me how much Epic seems to be giving MS the finger lately after such great success with GoW.

I agree. I actually would think that Epic would be more than happy to cater more to the Xbox 360. I don't understand all the "subtle love" Epic is giving to the PS3 now.

[Sir Kodiak]

I'm guessing it's because they're used to dealing with PC games, where everything is open and they can do things on their terms. MS wants everything on their terms, and that just doesn't seem to be going over well with them.

I can certainly understand that from Epic's perspective, but the fact that Microsoft takes managing the Live experience so seriously is a big part of the value of the 360 for me. It's that - and preferring the controller to the Dual-Shock / Six-Axis - that encouraged me to get my 360. It's the same reason that my newest computer is a Mac: I'm willing to trade a certain amount of flexibility and openness in order to get a more polished experience. And, well, GameSpy doesn't fit that ideal, and I want it nowhere near my 360.

This, of course, doesn't stop UE3 games from using Live, it's just not built into the engine. I doubt Microsoft is too worried about this, really. If you want multiplayer on the 360, you're going to have to use Live, at which point you've got a lot of the work done for cross-play with the PC. This is, however, a boon for Sony, as it should make PS3 / PC cross-play as easy as 360 / PC cross-play. It seems like developers will have to pick which one PC people will be able to play with, though. It'll be interesting to see how that shakes out.

[Heretic Machine]

Most people I know, myself included, have experienced humungous lag with Gamespy games, FEAR would lag for me with as few as 4 people in a single room, Company of Heroes can barely run in 3X3, 4X4 really pushes it.

That has nothing to do with Gamespy. Once you're in-game, you've left Gamespy's servers, they are no longer dealing with you. You're on bad game servers, and there isn't a whole lot Gamespy can do about that. I always aim for >100ms ping, and I don't have a problem finding unlaggy games.

[Rune_74]

I'm sure its n ot because sony is giving them incentives since you know they never do that.

[Heretic Machine]

I'm sure its n ot because sony is giving them incentives since you know they never do that.

I'm sure it's not because MS were pricks to Epic, and forced them to sell content that was intended to be free, and which Microsoft had no claim to. Nope, certainly not.

[Rune_74]

You honestly don't think any deals were involved, keep living in your dream world dude.

[Mark Rein]

Folks,

During E3 this year we announced Games for Windows Live support (which we using in Gears of War for Windows) and now Gamespy is also going to be available. This means that Unreal Engine 3 licensees will have access to both Games for Windows Live (which supports PC and Xbox 360) and GameSpy (which supports PC and PS3). This provides more choices and more flexibility for cross-platform online play which is a huge benefit to our licensees.

[Johan]

To be a fly on the wall of some varying companies' executive suites...like his, above!

there's a bit of soap opera drama and plain-ole-fashioned "my ball! my rules!" going on here. And some bed hopping!

It's fun to watch.

[Rune_74]

SO was that really mark rein? if so...why not just say all that in the first place?

[Crimson]

1. Inattentive people will install a bunch of bullshit like the Gamespy arcade, subscribe to newsletters.
2. Most people I know, myself included, have experienced humungous lag with Gamespy games, FEAR would lag for me with as few as 4 people in a single room, Company of Heroes can barely run in 3X3, 4X4 really pushes it.

Yeah, inattentive people do install a bunch of random crap on their systems. However, don't blame Gamespy for CoH. Company of Heroes uses Quazal for online matchmaking and multiplayer (and they just licensed their stuff to Midway).

[Heretic Machine]

Folks,

During E3 this year we announced Games for Windows Live support (which we using in Gears of War for Windows) and now Gamespy is also going to be available. This means that Unreal Engine 3 licensees will have access to both Games for Windows Live (which supports PC and Xbox 360) and GameSpy (which supports PC and PS3). This provides more choices and more flexibility for cross-platform online play which is a huge benefit to our licensees.

Thanks for stopping by to enlighten us mindless forum trolls :)

So, the answer is basically that Live obviously isn't going to allow cross platform play with a non-MS console, and it is a feature you wanted in your games (and games based on your engine). So, you needed someone like Gamespy to provide the same function for the PS3?

SO was that really mark rein? if so...why not just say all that in the first place?

Yes, that is really Mark Rein.

[grognard66]

Got a PC? Got a PS3? Got a PS3 Unreal Engine 3 game? You can play together! Epic announced today their partnership with GameSpy and the immediate option to integrate GameSpy's multiplayer technology into any game licensing the UE3.



Click the Headline for the full press release.

I'm curious as to why Epic is snubbing Microsoft in this. There are a number of PS3 & 360 games coming that use UE3. After the monumental success of Gears of War, one would think 360 would be included in these cross platform plans.

Thanks to Guy Mariano for a similar submission.

Yeah, Epics behavior is very strange. I'm sure their attitude will change when sales of UTIII tank on the PS3 which still does not have a vibrant online community to this day. Strange that they would snub the best online service for another which is like a ghost town because no one is ever talking online (nice job not bundling a mic, Sony).

Epic must realize UTIII will only achieve a fraction of the sales Gears did and would have sold far better with a simultaneous release on 360.

[Rune_74]

He already said that.

[Gorvi]

Thanks for stopping by to enlighten us mindless forum trolls :)

So, the answer is basically that Live obviously isn't going to allow cross platform play with a non-MS console, and it is a feature you wanted in your games (and games based on your engine). So, you needed someone like Gamespy to provide the same function for the PS3?



Yes, that is really Mark Rein.
That looks to be about it.

But he forgot the moneyhat part of it, but I guess that's forgivable. It's probably tough to see the keyboard with the giant brim of the moneyhat blocking his eyes. :p

Man, it's nice to see someone from the industry actually post a clarification like that, and twice in one day no less.

EDIT : And if Mark keeps posting like this, he's going to turn me into a fan of his company, and I've never even played a single game they've made. :)

[Mark Rein]

This, of course, doesn't stop UE3 games from using Live, it's just not built into the engine. That's not true.

We provide support for both Xbox Live and Games for Windows Live. GameSpy are going to be supporting their technologies within our engine as well. This provides more choices for our licensees. Unreal Engine 3 is cross-platform technology.

[GunnyMo]

Folks,

During E3 this year we announced Games for Windows Live support (which we using in Gears of War for Windows) and now Gamespy is also going to be available. This means that Unreal Engine 3 licensees will have access to both Games for Windows Live (which supports PC and Xbox 360) and GameSpy (which supports PC and PS3). This provides more choices and more flexibility for cross-platform online play which is a huge benefit to our licensees.

I agree with Perigon. Thanks for stopping by and clarifying that for us (and by us, I mean me. :D ) I'll edit the front page to reflect this. Thanks again!

[Grimmjow]

Folks,

During E3 this year we announced Games for Windows Live support (which we using in Gears of War for Windows) and now Gamespy is also going to be available. This means that Unreal Engine 3 licensees will have access to both Games for Windows Live (which supports PC and Xbox 360) and GameSpy (which supports PC and PS3). This provides more choices and more flexibility for cross-platform online play which is a huge benefit to our licensees.

Thank you for the insight sir :D

[Johan]

Can someone tell me why the hell it's necessary to CAPITALIZE THE ENTIRE PLAYSTATION NAME?????

Pet peeve.

[Mark Rein]

I'm curious as to why Epic is snubbing Microsoft in this. There are a number of PS3 & 360 games coming that use UE3. After the monumental success of Gears of War, one would think 360 would be included in these cross platform plans.Nobody is snubbing anybody. We announced at E3 that we were supporting Games for Windows LIVE and we demonstrated Gears of War on Windows using it on stage that night. The very next night people were playing Gears of War on Windows at the Games for Windows LIVE party. How does announcing that GameSpy is joining our IPP, and providing their technology to our licensees, constitute us "snubbing Microsoft"?

Unreal Engine 3 is cross platform technology. We'll ship UE3-based games on PC, 360, PS3, Mac and Linux. Xbox Live only runs on one of those five and Games for Windows Live only runs on one of those five. So in addition to supporting Xbox LIVE and Games for Windows LIVE we also now support GameSpy. Licensees will decide what best suits their games for themselves but now they have more options.

[Johan]

Nobody is snubbing anybody.

You've already convinced him and he's edited the OP. :)

[Skytram]

Nobody is snubbing anybody. We announced at E3 that we were supporting Games for Windows Live and we Gears of War on Windows using it. How does announcing that GameSpy is joining our IPP, and providing their technology to our licensees, constitute us "snubbing Microsoft"?

Unreal Engine 3 is cross platform technology. We'll ship UE3-based games on PC, 360, PS3, Mac and Linux. Xbox Live only runs on one of those five and Games for Windows Live only runs on one of those five. We need to provide technology that can support all five. Licensees can decide what best suits their games for themselves.

Can't wait UE3 with Linux servers hosting Mac, PC, PS3, and Linux clients! :eek:

[Heretic Machine]

Can someone tell me why the hell it's necessary to CAPITALIZE THE ENTIRE PLAYSTATION NAME?????

Pet peeve.

WHY WOULDN'T WE? What are you, some kind of communist? Are these the people's caps?

[Johan]

WHY WOULDN'T WE? What are you, some kind of communist? Are these the people's caps?

Everywhere I read it, it's:

PLAYSTATION.

It bothers the hell out of me. I'm an English teacher, after all, and it seems, frankly, arrogant. If there's another explanation, I'd love to hear it. It's quite weird. It's the forum version of Sony yelling their brand name.

PLAYSTATION!!!

[Citizen Philip]

So you're saying that with the Unreal Engine 3, Epic is developing PC Gamespy and PC Live! you're leaving the door open.

[Mark Rein]

I agree with Perigon. Thanks for stopping by and clarifying that for us (and by us, I mean me. :D ) I'll edit the front page to reflect this. Thanks again!Thanks GunnyMo!

I didn't see your response before writing this last post. It is unfortunate that people try to polarize our comments to be good or bad based on their favorite console platform or because it spices up a story on their blog or website. Just because we say something nice about PS3 doesn't mean we're saying something bad about Xbox 360 or vice-versa. People really need to calm down about this. We make games for both platforms (as well as PC, Mac and Linux) and have really good partnerships with both companies.

Be nice to each other folks!

[GunnyMo]

Can someone tell me why the hell it's necessary to CAPITALIZE THE ENTIRE PLAYSTATION NAME?????

Pet peeve.

lol Sony has always done that. Plus the little trademark/copyright thing that always goes after the name but before the number. I guess they couldn't get the rights to numbers. ;)

But I agree, it is a pet peeve here as well.

[GunnyMo]

Thanks GunnyMo!

I didn't see your response before writing this last post. It is unfortunate that people try to polarize our comments to be good or bad based on their favorite console platform or because it spices up a story on their blog or website. Just because we say something nice about PS3 doesn't mean we're saying something bad about Xbox 360 or vice-versa. People really need to calm down about this. We make games for both platforms (as well as PC, Mac and Linux) and have really good partnerships with both companies.

Be nice to each other folks!

Heh, I agree. I think people were just getting worried that Sony was getting more love recently than Microsoft. In the world of games (as we all know), no one wants to miss out on their regular pat on the head. :D

In my own defense, I had completely (and at my age, it's not surprising) forgotten that Games for Windows Live announcement. Heck, that was nearly a month ago! Ancient history.

[DarkDaY]

hell, its all good in my book, gears on 360, now Ill upgrade and play it on my new shinny pc, then, Ill pick up ut3 on my pc, as its one of my fav franchises, needs the mouse for that, and if the community picks up with some friends, Ill also grab it for the 360., imo epic deserves the cash, I love and play games that are epic, *no pun* and epic has yet to dissapoint, so ya, bring em on and Ill keep trusting and buying, ya all deserve the doh and the fat pockets.
Thats the rewards for working hard and creating quality products if not masterpieces.
cheers

[violentp]

I like this Mark Rein character. That's twice today he's come out and set shit straight.

[TrackZero]

I'm curious as to why Epic is snubbing Microsoft in this. There are a number of PS3 & 360 games coming that use UE3. After the monumental success of Gears of War, one would think 360 would be included in these cross platform plans.

Some people like to bite the hand that feeds them I suppose.

Edit: I'm kidding Mark. ;)

[Grimmjow]

Thanks GunnyMo!

I didn't see your response before writing this last post. It is unfortunate that people try to polarize our comments to be good or bad based on their favorite console platform or because it spices up a story on their blog or website. Just because we say something nice about PS3 doesn't mean we're saying something bad about Xbox 360 or vice-versa. People really need to calm down about this. We make games for both platforms (as well as PC, Mac and Linux) and have really good partnerships with both companies.

Be nice to each other folks!

It's good that you've posted this response, seeing that you guys are multi platform developers is a shame that media try to spin your words negatively but thats the nature of the beast I like to call fanboism ( I probably spelled it wrong :D) it lives in us all. Its nice to hear a devs voice every once and a while so we can get the real truth about a particular subject.

[silv]

I'm interested if this means that the PS3's networking service will not be used in UE3 games. (Home, PS3 contact list, etc)

Is it a statement on the quality of the PSN?

[Zander]

Jesus, gamespy? I haven't even thought about that for years. Is the old gamespy client still around? Wow.

[PrivateJohn]

Thanks GunnyMo!

I didn't see your response before writing this last post. It is unfortunate that people try to polarize our comments to be good or bad based on their favorite console platform or because it spices up a story on their blog or website. Just because we say something nice about PS3 doesn't mean we're saying something bad about Xbox 360 or vice-versa. People really need to calm down about this. We make games for both platforms (as well as PC, Mac and Linux) and have really good partnerships with both companies.

Be nice to each other folks!
Well...it was because of your comment about DVD size on top of the Gamespy-PS3 announcement that "lead" people into thinking Epic are snubbing Microsoft.

[BlackPete]

Thanks GunnyMo!

I didn't see your response before writing this last post. It is unfortunate that people try to polarize our comments to be good or bad based on their favorite console platform or because it spices up a story on their blog or website. Just because we say something nice about PS3 doesn't mean we're saying something bad about Xbox 360 or vice-versa. People really need to calm down about this. We make games for both platforms (as well as PC, Mac and Linux) and have really good partnerships with both companies.

Be nice to each other folks!

Kind words good sir... but still... Gamespy?!

There's better alternatives out there ;)

[BenN1ce]

Who's this Mark Rein guy. Were is Tim Sweeney?

[Pluvious]

Was this the reason there where so many delays with other PS3 titles that use this engine?.. UT's built in browser was not working with PS3 and they had to 'settle' for Gamespy?.. From what I can tell, 360 and PS3 will not be playing together?..

[Grimmjow]

I'm interested if this means that the PS3's networking service will not be used in UE3 games. (Home, PS3 contact list, etc)

Is it a statement on the quality of the PSN?

exactly what he is talking about...

[Midda]

Steam support! Me wants!

[CooterTKE]

Nobody is snubbing anybody. We announced at E3 that we were supporting Games for Windows Live and we Gears of War on Windows using it. How does announcing that GameSpy is joining our IPP, and providing their technology to our licensees, constitute us "snubbing Microsoft"?

Unreal Engine 3 is cross platform technology. We'll ship UE3-based games on PC, 360, PS3, Mac and Linux. Xbox Live only runs on one of those five and Games for Windows Live only runs on one of those five. We need to provide technology that can support all five. Licensees can decide what best suits their games for themselves.

I wish more companys (Sony & MS) would allow for me to use my ps3 to play with some of my friends who have mac and the 360. More developers need to force this upon the companys.

[Disgustipated]

Thanks GunnyMo!

I didn't see your response before writing this last post. It is unfortunate that people try to polarize our comments to be good or bad based on their favorite console platform or because it spices up a story on their blog or website. Just because we say something nice about PS3 doesn't mean we're saying something bad about Xbox 360 or vice-versa. People really need to calm down about this. We make games for both platforms (as well as PC, Mac and Linux) and have really good partnerships with both companies.

Be nice to each other folks!

Who is this fanboy troll? Can someone ban him? Anyone who actually thinks games are made for Mac is off their rocker. Games aren't made for Macs: they're ported over 3 years after they're initially released.

I'm gonna have to add this here so people don't take this shit seriously.

[Chainblast]

It just might be that Epic has more gamers than business people, thus more likely to take interest in less operational restrictions than money. Believe it or not there are people out there that don't cream themselves over coinage.

[cp#]

Thanks GunnyMo!

I didn't see your response before writing this last post. It is unfortunate that people try to polarize our comments to be good or bad based on their favorite console platform or because it spices up a story on their blog or website. Just because we say something nice about PS3 doesn't mean we're saying something bad about Xbox 360 or vice-versa. People really need to calm down about this. We make games for both platforms (as well as PC, Mac and Linux) and have really good partnerships with both companies.

Be nice to each other folks!

Welcome to EvAv, where the 360 Nazis are in full force :)

[Rune_74]

Welcome to EvAv, where the 360 Nazis are in full force :)

And its stupid comments like this that make it worse.

[Dirty Harry]

Thanks GunnyMo!

I didn't see your response before writing this last post. It is unfortunate that people try to polarize our comments to be good or bad based on their favorite console platform or because it spices up a story on their blog or website. Just because we say something nice about PS3 doesn't mean we're saying something bad about Xbox 360 or vice-versa. People really need to calm down about this. We make games for both platforms (as well as PC, Mac and Linux) and have really good partnerships with both companies.

Be nice to each other folks!

I completely follow what you are attempting to convey, i have a question if you do not mind. Simply put, was it in your own intentions to make UT3 online play Multi Platform (as in regardless of platform, everyone could play online together)? if so was it the console companies that have stopped you from acomplishing this goal? I know you have provided the ability to do so, but has Said companies stopped this from happening?.

[Talanvor]

I wonder if Sony and Microsoft would try and block people on PS3s and 360s playing together. That would be amazing if it could be done, and I don't see why not if the network code is implemented properly.

[Thin_J]

I completely follow what you are attempting to convey, i have a question if you do not mind. Simply put, was it in your own intentions to make UT3 online play Multi Platform (as in regardless of platform, everyone could play online together)? if so was it the console companies that have stopped you from acomplishing this goal? I know you have provided the ability to do so, but has Said companies stopped this from happening?.

I'd wager it wouldn't be very, uh, correct I guess, for him to answer that question very clearly.

It also sounds like a perfectly plausible idea. I can't imagine MS and Sony want people on their respective systems to be able to play with people on the other systems. Granted it would be a big win for consumers but I just don't see it happening. Especially not given the nature of Live and the way MS handles it.

[Dirty Harry]

I'd wager it wouldn't be very, uh, correct I guess, for him to answer that question very clearly.

It also sounds like a perfectly plausible idea. I can't imagine MS and Sony want people on their respective systems to be able to play with people on the other systems. Granted it would be a big win for consumers but I just don't see it happening. Especially not given the nature of Live and the way MS handles it.

I already know the answer, i just want to hear it from the horses mouth so to speak. Further confirm that Ms cant play nice with other companies.

[cp#]

And its stupid comments like this that make it worse.

I resent that

[TrackZero]

I resent that

Jeremy Parish!

[fps fanatic]

I can't wait till UT3 comes in November! Looking forward to playing deathmatch against PC players. I'm anxious enough to take on PC players with the controller at a PCcentric game. Could be/will be suicide but nevertheless... I'm wondering if the speed of the game can be equal to the PC version, but allow tweaks to the Sixaxis sensitivity? I know Epic mentioned the PS3 version of the game would play a "bit" slower, but I wouldn't mind playing at the same speed as the PC version, barring the tweaks to the sensitivity on the controller are allowed. I'm sure I heard somewhere that mixed matches (kb/m, controller) will be allowed? Suicide it may be, but sounds like it'll be fun to try...

[Dirty Harry]

I can't wait till UT3 comes in November! Looking forward to playing deathmatch against PC players. I'm anxious enough to take on PC players with the controller at a PCcentric game. Could be/will be suicide but nevertheless... I'm wondering if the speed of the game can be equal to the PC version, but allow tweaks to the Sixaxis sensitivity? I know Epic mentioned the PS3 version of the game would play a "bit" slower, but I wouldn't mind playing at the same speed as the PC version, barring the tweaks to the sensitivity on the controller are allowed. I'm sure I heard somewhere that mixed matches (kb/m, controller) will be allowed? Suicide it may be, but sounds like it'll be fun to try...
Or you could just buy a ps3 and use a kb/m combo, because they have added that into the game.

[Evil Avatar]

I'm glad Mark Rein stopped by, a shame he forgot that anything GameSpy touches turns to crap.

[dfr]

I've never even played a single game they've made. :)
seriously ? WOW (not in the mmo sense ^^)
(edit: come to think of it i probably totally missed the sarcasm :) )

I'm glad Mark Rein stopped by, a shame he forgot that anything GameSpy touches turns to crap.
gamespy has been integrated in many great games. admitting they don't always do the best job with the service and they could be sooooooo much more community oriented, especially with backend solutions where you constantly have to beg to get anything. but lets face it, it's not all crap.

[vash]

so, i did not use gamespy since many years since at least the arcade version used to install spyware (gator?) on my pc. is that still the case and will something like that happen with an integrated version?

and thanks for stopping by ;) people from the industry should do that more often

[Varsity]

Xfire would be ideal..but gamespy? What is Mark Rein smokin'?

$50 bills?

(Or maybe Gamespy isn't shit now? Anyone dare to find out?)

[Gorvi]

seriously ? WOW (not in the mmo sense ^^)
(edit: come to think of it i probably totally missed the sarcasm :) )
Nah, not sarcasm, I've literally never played a game made by Epic. Of course, not being a PC gamer, that's really not too difficult.

[Crowe]

Bah at being Australian I always miss the EPIC threads.

[Billen]

So for PC/PS3 the answer is FREE, and on PC/360 the answer is PAYTOPLAY?

Nice move, Microsoft.

EDIT: Or is it so that gaming via Live on Windows is free?

[Craigtheplague]

I'd wager it wouldn't be very, uh, correct I guess, for him to answer that question very clearly.

It also sounds like a perfectly plausible idea. I can't imagine MS and Sony want people on their respective systems to be able to play with people on the other systems. Granted it would be a big win for consumers but I just don't see it happening. Especially not given the nature of Live and the way MS handles it.

It's kind of dumb that companies wouldn't allow their respective consoles to play games onlines with their competitors' consoles. Imagine that you're a Verizon wireless customer and you couldn't place or receive calls to/from your friends and family who are AT&T/Sprint/Tmobile customers.

[Crowe]

So for PC/PS3 the answer is FREE, and on PC/360 the answer is PAYTOPLAY?

Nice move, Microsoft.

EDIT: Or is it so that gaming via Live on Windows is free?

Well it would want to be free for the PS3, especially with the god damn price of the console itself.

Yes I would much prefer that live be free too but it's not. And at the end of the day I don't mind paying a 'little' extra cash to play a game that gives me immense enjoyment.

[Craigtheplague]

[QUOTE=Mark Rein;924881]
This means that Unreal Engine 3 licensees will have access to both Games for Windows Live (which supports PC and Xbox 360) and GameSpy (which supports PC and PS3). QUOTE]

What I don't understand is, on the PC you can choose to play via Windows Live or Gamespy. Wouldn't it be a no-brainer to play via client you don't have to pay for? I guess if you're a PC gamer and want to play vs PS3 owners, go Gamespy. To play against Xbox360 owners, go Windows Live.

[Apex]

... I hate gamespy. I hate gamespy enough to boycott any game that uses it. Seriously, I really dislike gamespy ...

[grognard66]

... I hate gamespy. I hate gamespy enough to boycott any game that uses it. Seriously, I really dislike gamespy ...

The very fact that developers like Epic have to strike partnerships with services like Gamespy, xFire, etc. alone points out to why PS3 will never offer a viable online service. On Live! every game follows the same set of rules, uses the same software/architecture and menu interface so you have a consistent online experience regardless of developer.

On PS3, you have to work through multiple back-end systems each with different features, capabilities and sign-up processes. Even if Sony were to standardize this process now there is nearly a years worth of game library which would be exempt somewhat defeating the point. I would gladly pay Sony (and Nintendo) $50 per year if they could emulate Live!

Sure, developers and end users give up a bit of flexibility/freedom so MS can protect all users (with "objectionable" content and/or viruses) but the unified approach more than makes up for that with the best online experience gaming has ever offered (I've been gaming 25+ years and Live! is soooo much better than online PC gaming). There are other games dating back to the original X-box which offered rudimentary map makers where you could trade your maps online - I don't know why Epic can't figure out how to do this now.

MS has plenty of faults on its own (reliability, trying to monetize every single piece of marketplace content either by charging for it or getting a "sponsor") but online gameplay is something they absolutely nailed.

[51|RandoM]

1. Inattentive people will install a bunch of bullshit like the Gamespy arcade, subscribe to newsletters.
2. Most people I know, myself included, have experienced humungous lag with Gamespy games, FEAR would lag for me with as few as 4 people in a single room, Company of Heroes can barely run in 3X3, 4X4 really pushes it.

1. Inattentive people deserve what they get.
2. That has nothing to do with Gamespy. Gamespy is simply matchmaking code, no more, no less. It isn't the netcode for the game, it isn't doing QOS. It is a server browser. If your game has shitty netcode, gamespy isn't going to fix it. If your game has great netcode, gamespy isn't going to break it.

As far as why Microsoft isn't part of this, I'm sure that was Microsoft's choice. Microsoft always favors a closed platform over an open one. That is just their business model---and it is hard to argue against it in the face of their profits. One could also argue that keeping the 360 a closed platform also reduces the risk of cracks, hacks, and exploits.

It has been interesting to watch the rise and fall of gamespy. Their standalone server browser used to be king of the hill, leaving other programs like pingtool and all-seeing eye rooting through the table scraps. Then they decided it was time to start making money off of all the effort that they'd put into that product.

At the same time the browser started to get bloated with features nobody really wanted. Gamers wanted an effective, speedy way to find games and nothing else. Then they started licensing the browser technology for individual games, so that developers could build their own ingame browser. Instead of a great gamespy being the browser for all games, we ended up with a bunch of shitty half-assed gamespy implementations for each game, implementations that when broken tended to stay mostly broken. We were used to a gamespy that got fixed quickly and that added game support usually before the game even was released.

Their quest to monetize gamespy turned everybody's favorite browser into the unwelcome guest of multiplayer gaming.

[51|RandoM]

Can someone tell me why the hell it's necessary to CAPITALIZE THE ENTIRE PLAYSTATION NAME?????

Pet peeve.

It is a registered trademark, duh.

[Yeti2005]

I have a question about compatability though. If the PC is running a mod that the PS3 can't run due to memory restrictions then do PS3 users just not see that server or if they try to connect does it just boot them out? Also does this mean if someone is hosting a PC server and has cheats installed that PS3 users will get screwed or is there some protection from that as well?

[Evil Avatar]

How quickly people forget the total crap -- I'm talking game ruining crap -- that was Gamespy and Star Wars Battlefront & Battlefront II.

Both games were virtually unplayable due to the Gamespy browser. Unreal Tournament 3 using Gayspy?

Fuck that. Fuck that with a stick.

[GunnyMo]

How quickly people forget the total crap -- I'm talking game ruining crap -- that was Gamespy and Star Wars Battlefront & Battlefront II.

Both games were virtually unplayable due to the Gamespy browser. Unreal Tournament 3 using Gayspy?

Fuck that. Fuck that with a stick.

Well, only if you insist on playing it on a PS3. Just wait for it to hit 360. :D

[51|RandoM]

Eh, Battlefront II sucked long before I got to the point of worrying about the ingame browser.

All-Seeing Eye supports the original Battlefront. Don't know if supports Battlefront II. Looking at the support forums it'll work with Battlefront II as well, you just have to change path to executable and whatnot. The server query details are the same for both games.

Xfire has one-click join and ingame enabled for both Battlefront games.

...so ultimately, if Gamespy ruined those games for you it was because you let it. :)

[total]

How quickly people forget the total crap -- I'm talking game ruining crap -- that was Gamespy and Star Wars Battlefront & Battlefront II.

Both games were virtually unplayable due to the Gamespy browser. Unreal Tournament 3 using Gayspy?

Fuck that. Fuck that with a stick.

How about the entire Battlefield franchise? 2142 seems to have worked out most of the kinks, so it only took them like 5 years. :eek:

[Pretzel]

The only reason Epic is doing this is money and advertising. They probably figure it will bump up review scores a couple of points in Gamespy's review sites. There's no other benefit to them or consumers. They've always had their own browser and they're capable of doing matchmaking themselves. Now, in the end, they're tied to someone else's tech that just bloats the code and can't be serviced by their own engineers.

EDIT: They might not use it on UT3, so it's more a middleware option for licensees, which in the end is cool. They're not forcing it on people. Still don't see much point in it though.

[GameFlood Nathan]

It was really great to see Mark drop by the EvAv community and enter the discussion head-on like that. I really wish more industry folks would actually jump in to the discussions like this more often; it was very refreshing.